FG Launches ₦31 Billion Health Sector Payout and 23,000 New Jobs to End Doctors’ Strike

The Federal Government has unveiled a historic ₦31 billion payout and authorized the recruitment of over 23,000 new health workers as part of a major reform aimed at rebuilding Nigeria’s healthcare system, ending ongoing doctors’ strikes, and restoring public confidence in the sector.

Speaking at a ministerial press briefing in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the initiative as a “sustainable reset” rather than a quick fix. He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the health ministry to take decisive steps to stabilize hospitals, resolve industrial disputes, and make the Nigerian health system more efficient and resilient.

According to the minister, under a special presidential waiver, the government successfully recruited 14,444 healthcare professionals across 64 federal health institutions in 2024. An additional 23,059 new health workers will be hired in 2025, marking the largest expansion in Nigeria’s health workforce in more than a decade.

“Seventy-eight percent of those recruited last year were clinical staff, including doctors, nurses, and midwives,” Salako said. “Resident doctors and consultants account for nearly half of the ongoing hires.”

₦31 Billion Released for Health Worker Arrears and Allowances

Dr. Salako confirmed that the Federal Government has disbursed ₦31 billion to settle outstanding salary arrears under the 25–35% pay adjustment for health professionals. Of this amount, ₦21.3 billion has already been paid, while the remaining ₦10 billion will be cleared within 72 hours following consultations with the Ministry of Finance and Budget Office.

In addition, ₦5 billion has been released for residency training and other allowances, bringing total recent disbursements to ₦25 billion. The payments cover the Medical Residency Training Fund and other welfare packages for doctors, nurses, and allied health workers.

“In August, ₦10 billion went to all health workers, another ₦10 billion to residency training, and ₦5 billion more has just been processed. Payments begin this week,” the minister assured.

Government Moves to Resolve Industrial Disputes

Addressing the ongoing doctors’ strike, Salako disclosed that the government has appointed an independent industrial relations expert to mediate lingering disputes concerning professional relativity and non-doctor consultant appointments. The goal, he said, is to achieve a durable, system-wide solution.

“We will no longer repeat the mistakes of fragmented negotiations. All health unions must now engage the government as one team, not in silos,” he stated.

Salako expressed disappointment that the strike continues despite ongoing talks, emphasizing that existing agreements contain a “no-strike clause” during negotiations. He also clarified the government’s position on the demand to include medical interns in the federal payroll, stating that interns remain trainees, not permanent staff, and including them would distort the civil service structure.

Turning Brain Drain into Brain Gain

The minister announced that the Federal Government has adopted a multi-pronged workforce recovery plan designed to reverse Nigeria’s long-standing brain drain and transform the country into a health talent hub.

“We are adopting global best practices. Some countries now export health professionals as an economic asset. Nigeria will do the same — but first, we must rebuild our domestic capacity,” Salako explained.

Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of federal hospitals have been granted approval to hire doctors and nurses on a locum (temporary) basis to prevent service interruptions while formal recruitment processes continue. A new Task Force on Hospital Compliance has also been inaugurated to conduct unscheduled inspections and ensure that non-striking personnel remain on duty.

“Hospitals cannot be empty while bureaucracies run their course,” the minister warned.

Nigeria’s Health Sector Set for Structural Rebuild

Dr. Salako highlighted that Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains among the lowest in the world, far from the World Health Organization (WHO) benchmark of one doctor per 1,000 patients. He said the current reform aims to rebuild the foundation for a self-sustaining health system capable of serving both local and international needs.

“This is not just about stopping migration — it’s about creating a resilient health workforce that serves Nigeria and competes globally,” he stated. “With arrears cleared, recruitment expanded, and stronger governance in place, the era of systemic stagnation and fragmented talks is over.”

The minister reiterated that Nigeria’s health sector is now open for transformation but closed to disruption. “We have moved from reaction to reform, from promises to delivery,” he said.

The latest developments mark one of the most ambitious health reforms in Nigeria’s history, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader strategy to expand job opportunities, enhance human capital, and achieve universal health coverage.